Fiordland Penguin

Common Name:

Fiordland Penguin

Scientific Name:

Eudyptes pachyrhynchus

Type:

Birds

Diet:

Carnivore

Group Name:

Colony

Average Life Span In The Wild:

10 to 20 years

Size:

About 22 inches tall

Weight:

About 8 to 10 pounds

Many penguins thrive in freezing conditions. They shrug off subzero winds, belly-surf over glaciers, and swim underneath ice.

But not Fiordland penguins. Also known as Fiordland crested penguins or tawakis, these birds live in the rainforests of New Zealand. With their distinctive plumage, unusual squawks, and hard-to-find cave nests, tawakis stand out from their fellow black-and-white relatives.

Warm-weather feathers

Waddling across an ice-covered colony? No thanks! Temperatures in the temperate, or mild, rainforests of southwest New Zealand can hit a toasty 70°F. That's why Fiordland penguins can be smaller—they don't need to hold in as much body heat as larger penguins that live in Antarctica. They also have fewer, less dense feathers than penguins that live on the ice and need heavy plumage to keep them warm.

Cold shoulder

Other crested penguin species such as rockhoppers breed with their nests squeezed close together in colonies of thousands. But Fiordland penguins lay their eggs in isolated caves, bushes, and tree stumps. The birds aren't just being unfriendly: It rains a lot where they live in New Zealand, and tawakis prefer to be tucked away. Secretive spots also provide protection from humans, who used to hunt the birds for meat. No wonder Fiordland penguins like to stay out of sight!

Rock on

Sometimes called the rock stars of the penguin world, tawakis are known for their wild look and sound. For instance, they have a bold yellow streak of feathers called a crest over each eye. The birds can shake their crests—like rock stars shake their hair onstage—to show off their plumage to potential mates. They also have distinctive voices, just like your favorite singer. Unlike other penguins, they sound like braying donkeys and make honking noises to communicate at sea.

Range rovers

When it comes time to search for food, many penguins hunt as far as 40 miles from their nest. Not Fiordland penguins. Some tawakis don’t travel more than two miles from their home. Climate change is forcing these birds to travel farther from shore, however, as warmer water means less prey. Luckily, the adult birds are very adaptable and up for the longer trip.